The Philadelphia 76ers absolutely steamrolled the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday night in Jimmy Butler's first game against his former team since the blockbuster trade on November 12.
Butler finished with 19 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals in the 149-107 victory, while All-Star center Joel Embiid went off for a game-high 31 points to go along with 13 rebounds. After the game, Embiid took to social media with a parting jab at the T'Wolves, in which he referenced Butler's now legendary practice in Minnesota.
"It was an honor to be part of the 3rd stringers and get a win against real NBA starters #TheProcess"
Back in October, while Butler was still a member of the Wolves, the All-Star guard demanded to scrimmage with the bench players against the Minnesota starters. Butler reportedly berated Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins during the session, as well as Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden.
"I do want to beat those guys," Butler said after Tuesday's 42-point drubbing, "but I want to beat every team."
"It was everything that I thought it would be," Butler said. "Seeing some old faces. Not too much trash talking, though, I don't think anybody's talking like that. I like the fact that we beat them."
The Sixers (29-16) are currently sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference as they prepare for a tough stretch that includes games against the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets.